R&O Project Manager

We’re looking for a Project Manager to join our Research and Optimization (R&O) team. In this role, you will own the planning and execution of multi-disciplinary R&O projects that develop and optimize new technologies, and to then work with the Engineering Team to design, scale, and industrialize these technologies. This role reports to the Director of Strategic Operations and works day-to-day with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and the U.S. Engineering team. In this role, you will be accountable for planning and delivering complex, multi-disciplinary R&O projects (structuring scope, schedule, budgets, and communication) while the R&O team retains technical design and approval authority. You will be the “control center” for the U.S. team’s R&O projects: organizing work, driving alignment, managing risk, and ensuring first-time-right execution across process, mechanical, controls, safety, operations, and external partners. You are a mid‑career technical professional who enjoys creating order out of complexity, partnering closely with engineers and operators, and driving hardware‑heavy projects to completion in high‑hazard, highly regulated environments. 6+ years of experience in project engineering, technical project management, or similar roles in chemical, petrochemical, refining, nuclear, or advanced manufacturing environments. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline (or closely related technical field). Demonstrated success leading multi‑disciplinary projects through research, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and testing with clear accountability for cost and schedule but without direct line management of large engineering teams. Experience working daily with research, process and mechanical engineers, operations, and contractors on brownfield or greenfield capital projects. Skills and Competencies Strong project management skills: scope definition, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and change control. Comfortable reading and working with engineering documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, equipment specs, GA drawings) and relevant codes/standards, while deferring technical authority to discipline leads. Excellent communication and facilitation skills – able to translate between technical teams, operations, vendors, and leadership, and to drive decisions in structured forums. Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with a track record of building templates, procedures, and processes where structure was previously limited. Strong time‑management and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple active projects and stakeholders in parallel. Preferred Qualifications Formal project management certification (e.g., PMP) or equivalent experience in structured project delivery frameworks (FEL, stage gate, etc.). Experience working with EPC firms on chemical or nuclear‑adjacent facilities, including interface management and commissioning coordination. Familiarity with systems handling corrosive chemicals, high‑vacuum or gas‑handling equipment, or nuclear fuel / isotope enrichment processes. Location Austin, Texas (preferred) Remote candidates within the United States will be considered, with regular travel to U.S. project sites required. Project Planning and Execution Lead end‑to‑end project planning and execution for a portfolio of technical R&O projects, from early concept through construction, commissioning, and handover to operations. Build and maintain integrated project plans (scope, WBS, schedule, budget, risk register) in collaboration with the Director of Strategic Operations, CTO, U.S. Engineering Manager, and discipline leads. Track and manage cost, schedule, and milestone performance; escalate issues early and drive structured recovery plans when needed. Coordinate and run recurring project meetings (status, design progress, readiness, lessons learned), ensuring clear decisions, owners, and due dates. Technical Coordination (Without Design Ownership) Act as the primary project‑level coordinator between R&O, Process, Mechanical, Controls, Operations, and EHS, ensuring interfaces, assumptions, and constraints are clearly documented and aligned. Ensure R&O Project deliverables (models/methods, experimental plans/testing, equipment specs, tie‑ins, etc.) are progressing per plan, without assuming responsibility for detailed design. Support the CTO by surfacing cross‑discipline clashes, constraints, and resourcing needs early, enabling proactive leadership decisions. Facilitate the flow of information between R&O, Engineering, and Operations so that scale‑up risks, operability concerns, and maintainability requirements are incorporated into project scope and timelines. Vendor, EPC, and Construction Coordination Coordinate with EPC firms and engineering contractors on project scope, schedule, and interfaces, while the CTO and discipline leads retain technical authority. Support preparation and tracking of technical requisitions, RFQs, and purchase orders for equipment and services, ensuring alignment with project budgets and timelines. Work closely with construction, commissioning, and testing leads to integrate field constraints, tie‑in windows, and start‑up sequences into project plans. Track and manage change orders, RFIs, and technical queries from vendors and contractors from a scope/schedule/cost perspective. Governance, Risk, and Safety Integration Embed “compliance‑first” and “safety‑by‑design” expectations in project plans, aligning with engineering, EHS, and regulatory stakeholders. Maintain and regularly update project risk registers (technical, schedule, commercial), leading risk review sessions and driving mitigation actions to closure. Ensure project documentation (charters, stage‑gate packages, decision logs, change records) meets internal governance requirements and is audit‑ready. Communication, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement Provide clear, concise project status reporting to the Director of Strategic Operations, CTO, U.S. Engineering Manager, and broader leadership – including KPIs, risks, and decisions required. Serve as a visible, accessible point of contact for internal stakeholders, creating transparency on priorities, dependencies, and impacts of changes. Capture and institutionalize lessons learned (scope definition, contracting strategy, commissioning readiness, stakeholder engagement), improving templates and playbooks over time. Competitive base salary aligned to global compensation bands and local market data. Bonus eligibility: Target % based on level and impact. Equity participation: Reflecting your contribution to QLE’s long-term success. Comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for global mobility across US, UK, and ZA operations.